Assiqnob to the bead cham



W. J. GAGNON.

CHAIN. APPUCATION HLED FEB. x6. ma.

Patented May 13, 1919.

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. dependent so juxtaposed heads of adjacent links.

end in which my invention WILLIAM J. GAGNON, OF

CONNECTICUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 13, 1919.

Application flied February 16, 1918. Serial No. 217,718.

- specification.

My invention relates to chains and particularly to chains such as are commonly utilized for operating electric switches. The object of my invention is to produce a chain of novel construction which is stronger than the ordinary chain while retaining the appearance and attractive style of the latter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a chain is embodied in one form;

Fig. 2' is a longitudinal section therethrough showing the chain construction;

and

Fig. 3 is a' similar vieW' out a modified con struction.

As ordinarily made, a chain of the present general type com rises a series of indumb bell links connected by interposed balls each of which embraces tlX chain of this construction is dependent for its strength upon the weight of material employed in he balls since the strain of an efi'ort exerted upon the chain is taken by the metal of the ball at the point at which it surrounds the head of the dumb bell link. A breaking strain on the chain results in spreading the dumb gaged links, the ball.

in the present construction I have provided a chain having all the appearance and finish of a chain of the type mentioned, but

hell head of one of its interenso that the link is pulled out of in fact much stronger, while at the same time the metal from which the balls are made, may be markedly lighter without in any way afiecting the strength of the chain. Moreover the link element of the chain may be of relatively inexpensive material.

Referring to Fig. 2, the construction of the present chain is apparent. The links 5 of the chain instead of being of the usual the metal of one of the balls by separated dumb bell type, comprise a series of interlocked eye-links forming a continuous core element for the chain and by which is taken the entire strain of an effort exerted upon the chain. This core element of the IBBIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB TO THE IBEAID CHAIN v chain is preferably made from light steel wire and is readily formed in any of the various machines adapted to the manufacture of this'type of chain. Around each pair of interengaged eyes 6, which form spaced enlargements of the core element, l term a sheet metal ball 7. This may be accomplished in any suitable manner, but preferably in a machine of the type shown in my atent No. 1,087 ,876, eliminating however the link-forming dies and feeding the present core element, previously formed, to the ball-forming dies. These balls have no function in sustaining the efiort exerted upon the chain, but impart to the latter the appearance of an ordinary chain. The halls do have the function, however, of adordin the core of the chain alone, and'at the same time they afiord antifriction members which.

permit the chain to run more freely over a surface with which it. may be in contact (6. g., a socket'chain bell) than would be the case were the core element alone employed.

It is customary to provide a terminal ball 8 of large size to impart a finish and to afiord a grip for the chain when the latter is used for operating electric switches and this ball may be formed and secured at the end of a chain length in precisely the same manner as it would be upon the dumb bell link of an ordinary bead chain.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3 the links 5 and balls 9 are of such relative size that an entire link 10 is embraced within the ball 9. The latter surrounds not only the confined link 10 but also the eye of the intermediate link 5 so that only the shank of the latter is exposed.

The chain constructed in either manner described possesses substantially the same flexibility as. the ordinary ball and link chain'and is stronger than the latter for the reasons above pointed out, while at the same The halls form practically four-fifths of til - the visible portion of the chain and the exposed portionjof-ethe interni inspection.

' 1 claim asmysinventioni i 1. Avchaln comprising at contmuousscore ,elenient fhaving ,spaced enlargements and hollow balls surrounding said enlargements V and held in spaced relationship thereby "to simulate an ordinary ball chain.

2. A chain compr sing a'continuous jointed core element taking the strain of an effort exerted upon the chain, and hollow balls secured upon said core element around in, d figyencegg' w material iris ":n0t ;:not1ceal)1 t m iul in link joints and spaced apart to simulate an chain. am comprising a series of lnterlockedlinks forming a continuous core ele-. ment takin the strain of an eilort exerted upon the c ain, and a hollow bead or ball formed upon'said core element at each joint between adjacent links and inclosing the joint, said balls bein s aced apart to simulate an ordinary bea cliain.

5. A chain comprising a continuous core element composed of llnks having shanks with enlarged heads at opposite ends thereof, the head ends of ad acent links being interconnected together with hollow balls surrounding the interconnected heads and held in spaced relationship thereby to simu- 5 late an ordinary ball chain.

In testimony whereof I have signed my 40 name to this specification.

WILLIAM J. GAGNON. 

